Friday, March 15, 2013

My Thoughts On Inclusion...

So I think I said awhile back I would explain why I chose the preschool Bennett attends. It's a very small school with I believe 25 students. All of the children have special needs. I'd say 90% of them have Down syndrome. Why did I choose a school like this? Well, I put a lot (I mean A LOT) of thought into it. In the end I knew I needed a place that I was certain Bennett was loved-that was my number one priority. He is so tiny, like the size of most 18 month olds, only he's 3 and I needed to know he wasn't going to get run over and left in a corner to just "play". But then I also wanted a place that really focused on communication because that's one of the biggest challenges for a person like Bennett as he gets older-speech.

Believe me, I talked to many people and at times was almost convinced that Bennett needed to be around typically developing kids, not kids with special needs because how would he ever learn? Well now I know that's just crazy. Don't get my wrong I do think he needs to be around peers his age that are typically developing but I also think he can learn just as much if not more at the school he's at.

What really attracted me to this school was all the technology they were using with the children like ipads and smart boards as well as PEC communication and sign language. When I first visited the school and walked into the 3 year old class I was amazed at what I saw. These tiny little children, most of them had Down syndrome, participating in music therapy, sitting and singing happily and then how routined they were when it was time to move on to the next thing. Bennett fit right in and loved every minute of it. I could just feel the love from every single person I met.

And what I really love is how they expect so much out of these kids. They expect them to carry their huge back packs all the way to class, they expect them to hang their bags and coats up. They expect them to sit and listen and participate. They want these kids to learn to be independent, they don't let them slack off. So there's order, there's education and there's love. Monday-Friday, all day. I have no doubt Bennett is right where he needs to be.

Happy as can be!

No description needed;)

The updates from his teachers…oh how I love the updates!! This school knows how important the little milestones are and how they're actually not little for these kids, they're huge! I love how they get that!

Yep, eating real food! Huge, HUGE accomplishment for him. No one has EVER been able to get Bennet to eat real (solid) food until he started this school. Now he picks up food and puts it in his mouth, eats everything we eat, drinks from a cup like a big boy…I never thought I'd see the day. So, so pleased with what they've done for him in the feeding department!

I just love seeing him participate in regular school activities, following directions, having fun…I couldn't ask for more!

Now as far as inclusion down the road in elementary school, do I want that? Of course I do! What I really want is for Bennett to go to his sister's school and have a full time aide but I know that is so far fetched in our county. It doesn't mean I won't try but on the other hand I am willing to see how he does in a setting that may be more suitable for him if an aide can't/won't be provided. If I don't think his needs are met and that he's not getting enough time with typically developing kids, well then if it's in God's will I'll pull him out and we'll try a private school setting where I hear inclusion is more accepted, at least where we live.

But when it comes down to it, I feel this small school he's at is going to prepare him for elementary school. So for now, I guess we don't do inclusion, other than church, the gym and just being around his sisters but I really don't think it's all that necessary right now. Not when he's learning his shapes, colors, letters, so many more words, etc. right along with his classmates. He's learned SO MUCH this school year and I'm thrilled with his progress. It's just what has worked for our family. I know many others feel differently about the topic. And that might be what is best for their family.

But you know when something is right and this is definitely right. We take it day by day. And today Bennett is happy and he's thriving. So today this is right where we need to be.

17 comments:

I've been following for awhile, I found you though a wreath posted on Pinterest I think and I love your story (and your outfit posts!) :) I am an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher in another state and I teach in the public schools in a school and classroom that sounds very similar to Bennett's. We try to use the inclusion model as often as possible, but a lot of times at that age it's just not appropriate. Good for you for going with your gut and he sure looks happy there! Very well stated post!

My Ben is only 2 but I've already selected a preschool for him that sounds very similar to the one you chose for Bennett. I just can't imagine my tiny little guy keeping up with the big kids yet:) Loved this post and I look forward to reading more about Bennett's progress at school!

Thanks for sharing. That sounds so nice. I totally understand the idea of them being so little among the 'big' kids. We still have some time to decide, my girl is almost 2, but it seems to go so fast. Very helpful to read your findings here :)

Samantha was in a SpEd preschool because that's all our county provides for, but honestly, it was GREAT. I felt completely confident that she was going to get what she needed, that she would get that extra help in her fine and gross motor skills and speech. I have absolutely no regrets, and her transitions into her GenEd Kindergarten class, and now 1st grade, have been great. I'm so happy Bennett's in such a great environment! Love the pics - I just can't believe how big he's getting! Seems like just yesterday he was born and we'd been e-mailing about OHS at CHOP.

I am so, so happy for you and Bennett! I just wish God would give me a sign and help me make the very difficult decision on where to send Connor for Kindergarten next year. He has so many special needs and we really have had a tough 2 years. He is so much smaller than ALL of the other children because of his feeding issues and all I want is for him to be LOVED for the sweet and extremely intelligent little guy he is! I am in tears just writing this. I wish the answer about his placement for next year would just come to me.

It was refreshing to read this side of it. Most every other blog I read with children with down syndrome the inclusion piece is so pushed and followed. I do not think it is always the best choice. Bennett seems happy and learning and that is the key in my opinion. Thank you for sharing this.

My kiddo is 3 (nearly 4 now!) and he attends a similar preschool setting at Bennett. I also chose it because of what I saw and what my Owen needs at this point. I too would love to have Owen attend elementary school with a full time aide in a typical classroom, but I know that his needs to be met, so we'll see when the time comes. I totally support inclusion, but I want to be realistic for my own child and if it works, that's great and if it doesn't, then we look at other options. It's great to hear how well Bennett is doing--especially with the feeding! We are working on the open cup right now and it's slow going, but I know he'll get there. Really great post, Adrienne!

That's awesome you are happy with Bennett's school. Alaina is in a developmental day program with inclusion and it has been equally wonderful. I think inclusion is a lovely idea, but like you said I don't want my child sitting in the corner and not learning. The recent list serv emails make me terrified of facing elementary school, but I really think we need to keep an open mind because some schools and teachers might be much more accommadating to meeting our kid's needs than others. I'm just going to enjoy preschool while it lasts!

We decided to put Kamdyn into a typical preschool two days a week, part time. In our area, everyone uses the special Ed preschool, because the county covers it. We are the only ones I know of who are going this route. My reasoning was that I wouldn't be putting Kamdyn into preschool at all if she didn't have DS, because I'm homeschooling. I would still like to homeschool kamdyn in the long run, but for now, I want the influence of typical peers, especially with language. That's our main reason for doing it. I looked at a bunch of preschools, and its hard to find a typical preschool that is willing and excited to take her. Most also have rules about being potty trained too. We found an awesome school that us super excited to take her

I work for Alexa and Seth at Lexiwynn. I also work at Vanderbilt Reading Clinic particularly with a 16 year old who has DS. His mom has had an aide for him full time since day 1. She also has had an advocate with her on the public school journey. An advocate would put Bennett's on needs first and has the knowledge (hopefully) to make it happen. I was also a special education teacher (pre kids life)and know how overwhelming the special education process can be.

Love it, and couldn't agree more! We chose a special needs pre-school for Emily for the same reasons and I truly do feel like they push her to learn to the best of her ability. She gets plenty of time with her peers at church and gymnastics and our playdates :-) The most important thing I feel I can do for her right now is to make sure she is learning what she needs to learn so that she can be successful in Kindergarten and I think the best place for her to do that is right where she is...a special needs preschool :-)

We have to do what's right for our kids regardless of what other people think and the only person that is going to know what that is is the one that spends all their time with them. I love the picture of Bennett with the bubbles. That is exactly how my bear cub is with bubbles, too.

My son Cody also attends a Special needs preschool in NY and it's been great for him. He is thriving and is in a place where he is loved and pushed at the same time. He has been going full day this past year and has really done great. I hope for kinder we can go in district but if not I want a school where he will learn and thrive. I used to be so hung up on inclusion but now have a more relaxed view of it. Cody will be 4 in a couple of weeks so we have another full year at his current school before I need to go crazy with the next big step. Bennett is getting so big and as handsome as ever....

This school sounds wonderful. I am keeping Katie in her sped class next year for the very reasons you stated. She is loved by the staff. She gets a ton of one on one attention. I felt like I was letting myself and DS community down because I wasn't pushing for inclusion for her at her IEP. BUT, it was the right decision for Katie. Just like Bennett, she has inclusion everywhere else. So glad that you did what you felt was right.